Elsewhere in the issue, the McLaren 12C Spider is analysed by our experts in our eight-page road test. We wouldn’t usually carry out a second full road test of a supercar just because it had been de-roofed since we first drove it. However, such is the depth of the changes that McLaren has effected on the 12C since we originally road tested it in June 2011 that is seems worth revisiting now.

As summer tries to force the stubbornly miserable spring weather into a retreat, it seems like an appropriate time to assess two of the leading full-size convertible saloons on the market. The new Vauxhall Cascada drop-top has the Audi A5 cabriolet in its sights, so Mark Tisshaw heads to the seaside to find out which is more desirable.

It’s an important week for our long-term test fleet as we welcome our new McLaren 12C into the fold. We already know it’s an amazing car to drive, but over the next six months we’ll find out what it is like to live with. We also feature updates on our Renault Twizy, Fiat Panda, Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake, Range Rover Evoque, Caterham Seven and Dacia Sandero.

If you’re in the market for a big seven-seat 4x4, check out our Used Buying Guide, which serves up hints and tips on how to buy a second-hand Nissan Pathfinder for £6000. Our used car guru James Ruppert looks at bargains to be had among the electric and hybrid cars on the used market.

Autocar magazine is available through all good newsagents, and available to download from Zinio and the Apple iTunes store.